Risk Assessment

[rassafraggin]

The Drunken Tale is alive with music tonight. The main room is filled with Chantris talespinners, singers and patrons. Lights flicker as candles are lit to stave off the night and, although early in the seasin, a lovely fire is burning in the fireplace. Windows have been opened to let the cooler evening air in while light and laughter spills out into the street. Maggie has spent some coin to secure a conference room in the back. The bartender, a rosy-cheeked middle-aged woman of Chantris origins has agreed to send any looking back to join them. She assigned a chipper young man with features similar enough to her own to proclaim him as her son to take care of them.

Within the back room, the sounds of the front are muted, but not elilminated. Drinks are available and they range from water to fire-water to be feared or respected. Small finger foods are on plates here and there on the tables. Maggie is seated in the chair farthest from the door, her hands folded around a glass of something clear enough to be the former. A mug of something warm and steaming sits to hand, though is clearly untouched currently.

After their return, Ascian had briefly gone home to check on house and family before heading to the Drunken Tale to meet with the others. Now the big, bronze fellow sat in the back room, having made himself comfortable in the largest, sturdiest chair he could find. Serene and calm as always in expression, there was nevertheless something clearly worrying him as they waited for the meeting to begin. A run in with hostile divinities had clearly given him a fair deal to think about. He looked to Maggie, offering her a literally warming smile. "Are you feeling better now on our return to Amber?"

The door opens, letting the cooler night air into the establishment with the smells of burnt sage, rosemary, and something more sinister. Perhaps white-hot charcoal, scents of the cottage, the sea, and the summer? With three steps, a tall, crimson-cloaked man walks inside. He pauses at the doorway and sniffs. Looking right and left, he removes the cloak's hood, revealing a well groomed, bearded man of auburn-red hair and deep, dark eyes.

Moving into the main area, Thoth takes one look at the man behind the counter. Eyes widening, the man nods once, as though he received an unspoken request, and nods towards the back room. Then, the bartender grabs a bottle from behind him, pours a more than generous portion, and holds out the glass as Thoth walks by. Taking it with a dextrous snipe, Thoth smiles, a cold, distant smile, and says, "Thank you."

Entering the room, Thoth looks around and remains in the doorway to start, only moving to the right at the back wall when he feels he has taken in the entire room.

Melina enters and heads toward the backroom with soft measured step. she looks over the room and her gaze settle on maggie with an appraising looking that the astute might register as concen as she approaches the table and finds a seat

Dirk is in cat form and jumps into the window and sits on the sill

Ruby exits the washroom and snags a some fresh hydration in a mug before venturing into the backroom where the congregation homes in on. She's still tracking sand from the soles of her boots for some reason. The detritus is almost as irritating as a bit of mental equivalent that is scratching the inside of her skull in the form of a bad mood. Ruby doesn't take a seat but claims a bit of wallspace to sip and grimace at imaginary grit between her teeth.

Cale has been here for a while. Drinking apple juice. But only sporadically. He sips from the giant mug now and then, which looks even larger by comparison when lifted up to Cale's narrow face. Most of his effort and attention is actively concentrated on scrawling away in his sketchbook. Various island landscapes dominate the recent pages, which feature charcoal drawings with clear strong lines, perspective shading, and carefully planned out visual flow. He hums the tunes from the front room softly to himself as he works away, his hands a blur of rapid motions and his feet absently kicking the front legs of the chair he sits in with the back of his heels in time with the music of the Chantris bards. Cale looks happy, all things considered. Finally they are making progress!

Dirk follows Ruby along as he sneaks into the backroom beside her. He watches his tail so it doesn't get stepped on.

Looking up as Ascian enters, Maggie returns his smile though her gaze remains faintly haunted. What she saw? Well, that's a tale for another time. One hand does sneak up to brush the back of her neck. Her hair, once long enough to allow for a braid that swept her upper thighs is no longer there. Now, she wears a pixie-type bob that is all pin curls and waves. It does not soften her fey features so much as augment them. "I am okay, Ascian. Thank you." Her attention is drawn to the others as they enter. Each is given a welcoming smile and a nod. Even Dirk the cat. "Come in and welcome. Thank you all for coming tonight. I know that it was a bit short notice. I would like to open by giving Lady Melina the floor."

Dirk looks at the floor and then looks up at Melina with a funny kitty expression of "how ya gonna do that?"

Thoth leans against the wall, taking sips the dark crimson liquid from the goblet in his left hand. Closing his eyes, he enjoys the flavour for a moment...or was that a ploy to reach out with his thoughts and senses? His right hand rests on the pommel of his sword, but not in an offensive way at all, as his eyes re-open. Gazing at Dirk and Ruby as they enter, his eyes then find Cale's. Someone happy. Now that is rare.

Looking over at Melina, Thoth offers her a slight bow, and a semi-warm smile, a lot for the man. He raises his glass in a salute, and then looks back at who else was present. Maggie of course, and Ascian, who's words he absorbs. To business. "I have heard about your endeavours in the realms of shadowpaths and the difficulties inherent in those august goals. Especially around Pathi. If I can help..." Thoth leaves that hanging, and takes a sip as his gaze turns to Lady Melina and her next words.

As the others filed in, Ascian happily greeted them all, giving Melina and the cat warm smiles as they took their seats. Merrisol and Thoth he regarded curiously, giving a light bow to both from his seat, and a smile and salute to Cale and Ruby as they made themselves comfortable. Nodding to Maggie's comment on her well being, he smiled. "I am glad to hear it. I was worried for you safety for a time. Humans are unfortunately prone to breakage and internal damage." When she gave the floor over to Melina, he looked to his sister in law, waiting patiently.

Melina gives thoth a genuine smile but a look of concern crosses her eyes "Thank you. I have secured permission for a numer of us to visit the Chantris library. However I was unaware of his excellencies visit as well as some of the others who would be present in the names that I offerred to his grace. With your permission I feel that the archon's perspective on the matter just as valuable as anything we might find in a tome. I suggest we give him the floor whilst i see if i can revise the list of permissions

Ruby takes a drink and folds and arm under her chest. Those she isn't super familiar with and looking like they bear the trappings of the sorcerous realm get a leaden look. Her bias and skewed perspective of Pathian culture and its reputation is hampering her ability to put her best foot forward. She slowly takes an inventory of her teeth with her tongue in a count-to-X mental exercise.

Maggie nods to Melina, then turns toward the mysterious man leaning against the wall. Or standing. Hard to tell from this angle. She nods to him, "Welcome, Archon. The object of this group is to re-establish a Shadow Path to Pathi. We wanted to see if we can discover where the old path began, whether the old nods still exist and where it terminated in Pathi. I understand that it was very mutable in the particulars between one nod and the nexe, but that is only to be expected. So, if you would tell us what you know about it, please?" As she nods again, giving him the floor, her gaze slips to Merrisol and she gives him a quick, very welcoming smile. There might even be an invitation for him to join her for there is an empty chair right there.

Thoth's eyes narrow slightly, and then flutter over towards Maggie with a slight smile. Then, a slight nod and a semi-bow which translates to a respectful nod of his head. And...was that a note of mischief in his smile? His aura was strong, and there were enchantments and magic around him, hugging him close. His lips move as well, meant only for Maggie. "Hello sister. Thank you. I will tell you what I know."

When Melina starts to speak, Thoth's attention moves from his sister, to Melina. "You are too kind, Lady Melina." Thoth takes one, and only one step forward. "Pathi drifts alone, and although I have endeavoured to recitify this situation, something is preventing me from making us a complete part of the Golden Circle once more. The unauthorized theft of one of the nails that kept us in place and open to travel has made us difficult to find, especially for those traveling shadowpaths and trump."

Thoth sighs, takes a sideways look at Cale, and adds, "Therefore, I would hope, with your help..." Thoth takes a second to look each person in their eyes, "...we can bring Pathi back to where she was before." A pause.

"Beware. Something sinister is preventing this action. Something dark, primordial, and ancient. Powerful. So...." Thoth's voice gets...is that chipper? "Who wants to volunteer? You may access Pathi's Library if you desire. The Seneschal shall have my authorization to permit it as needed."

Dirk raises a paw to volunteer. "I will."

Merrisol is present in a less-remarked corner of the room, listening and learning without adding in commentary this time. He may be somewhat distracted by his spouse's startling new appearance, or perhaps he's merely deep in thought, mentally conjuring up a miraculous yet sensible scheme to propose after all the esoteric chatter has died away.

Maggie clears her throat, "I will also go to Pathi's library. Thank you for making that available. When can we come and how shall we get there?"

Melina hms "The potential cost of failure to unify ambber and the circle is untenable and worth no small amount of risk to accomplish. i will aid you

Ascian nodded. "Frankly, I would be quite fascinated to go as well. I have never been to Pathi, and it's always been curious to me. As well I would be honored to be able to enter the Chantris library for the first time." He chuckled slightly at that. "I will be glad to help, and aid how I can. The ancient and primordial is something I have an interest in as well."

Looking at Maggie with a slight smile, Thoth hmms. "You are welcome now, or as soon as you are able. I know several members of the Pathi community will be...stressed at allowing this, but for the good of Pathi, I will it." Turning to Melina, Thoth bows slightly, and adds, "It is the pinacle of arrogance to think we can solve this on our own, and we call upon our neighbours and friends to help us in our time of need. So thank you lady Melina. Lady Morfilod." Then he nods to the room, including Ascian. "Everyone. As an aside, I do not believe I have been to the Chantris Library either, Lord Ascian."

Maggie nods once, "Thank you, Archon. I have a few things to take care of before I can head that way. Perhaps we can speak privately before you return?" She turns to look at the rest of the people in the room one by one, then nods, "Very well. I think that Lady Melina should still take a contingnet to the Chantris Library. Unless Lord Thoth has insight into where the old path began, we still need to know that. If it cannot be found, we can begin anew, but that takes more effort. Lord Thoth, do you know?" Her attention turns back to the Archon.

Ruby clears her throat. "This is all well an good an so many wide smiles an favours politely bandied about loike real diplo-mats. Real slick, Truth. I can feel tha warmth all tha tah me toes. What sort 'o guarantees you gots tha there won't be no interference from these ~several~ membahs. Is there a real threat posed tah Maggie's expe-dition in this from elements in Pathi specifically?"

"Absolutely. I will be available as you require." Thoth nods to Maggie pleasantly. "I do know where the old path began and where it ended. It has become a place of...difficulty, and will probably require at least one Arch Mage to assist in penetrating the layers of "chaos" that may corrupt it." Thoth looks at Cale with a raised eyebrow, letting him in.

Turning to face Ruby, Thoth puts up a hand to forestall any further issues. "You have my word as the Head of the Triumvirate of Pathi, and Head Archon, that there should be no interference from the rest of the Archons and the Arch-Mages of Pathi." Thoth says that last with confidence. "There may be...threats, that are not Pathian in origin. As far as I know."

"I will be there when you need me. You have but to call me." With a final nod to all present, turn, and flourish with his cloak, Thoth turns and heads out, dropping his now empty goblet with the bartender. The door opens. Closes. The moonlight strikes him, and Thoth was gone.

"The paths of Shadow are roads I travel but admittedly know little about. The skein of the pattern is somewhat beyond me, thugh I am learning quickly." Ascian smiled at Thoth and nodded. "It will be curious to travel and see Pathi for the first time. I appreciate your offer, and willingness to accept aid." As the meeting broke up, he looked to Maggie and smiled. "When you have time, and if you are so inclined, I would very much like to speak to you about what you saw. I have concerns of my own that might be put to rest or not, depending. I am unsure who Kerf is, but I do hope that as you have successfully survived you might tell them your feelings in person. Human lives, even those of Amber, are much to short otherwise."

Cale grins broadly when Dirk is the first to volunteer. Cool. Once everyone else chimes in who's 'in,' Cale then props his sketchbook up on the table and unfolds it, leaving it more or less precariously balanced against the giant cider mug so that hopefully everyone can now see the visual aids. The book contains sketches of islands. All similar yet slightly different. Neat notes in the margins list the local dangers, which all seem to share an ominous theme. "Hey guys. Here's what Thoth's been talking about." *points* "These are some of the better candidates for new waypoints." *flip flip flip* "I've been checking them out all week, starting from Amber and working towards Pathi. You can tell when you're getting close to the old Shadow Path because there's kind of an infected sort of brokenness about the Way. Chaos and ruin. Or something. Bad news." *flip flip flip flip* Cale flips back a couple pages. Cale continues: "Here's the start of the Old Path. There is also something watching the Old Path, something ancient, powerful, and twisted by storms. Possibly related to the Malace entity. Reopening the Old Path is lookin' like one *helluva* ride. New Path is lookin' easier, but maybe we oughta finish out the Old Business b'fore we open up the New Business, for tidiness' sake. But that's not my call. I just scout and I draw pictures." Cale sits down and shuts back up.

Ruby still wears what could be gauged a skeptical face. Taking another drink, she drains it until there's just a filmy residue left. She comments dryly, "It be those gaps in knowledge tha be great tah twist ankles in." She wipes her mouth with the side of her wrist.

Maggie nods to Thoth, her gaze flipping to Ruby, then back as the exchange is noted. Her gaze turns throughtful and she waves to the Archon as he leaves, "I'll be in touch." The comment might easily have missed him for she was not in a rush to get the words out. She smmiles for Ruby, "Thanks for thinking of that. I appreciate it. I think that this will be difficult enough without added friction." Her attention touches Merrisol for a moment and her hand returns to tug at one curl that edges the top of her ear, the end resting along the arch like an ear cuff. Hearing Ascian, she blushes a bit, lifting her chin to indicate Merrisol in his observation post, "That is Kerf. He is my husband. I am not sure what I said, to be honest, but he knows how I feel about him." She smiles at her mate, then back to Ascian. Her comments die away when she turns to look at Cale and his sketch book. Returningn her attention to Ruby, she nods to her cousin, "Isn't that the truth?" Again, she turns to the sketchbook, "Cale, would you mind making a copy of your notes for me, please?"

Dirk tries to jump up on Ruby's shoulder and lean against her.

Melina hms "we should take time to discuss the most recent set of events. I apologize for unwittingly leading folks into danger. i think i was missing some information.

Cale seems pretty darn shy about the idea of speaking much further in front of all these gathered people, having already talked quite a lot. Public speaking. Terrifying. Cale nods and motions, "Already done. This book" *Cale holds up the book Melina gave him* automatically copies into *that* book. Cale points to one Melina is (assumedly) carrying. "So if I get killed while checking out these things in Shadow, you guys will know exactly where it happened and what things looked like just before I croaked." Cale finishes talking and then ducks down behind his giant mug of apple cider. Cale doesn't really look like Cale wants Cale to get killed. And seems shy about that. Cale takes another deep breath and offers, "If you want a by-hand copy, gimme like 3 days or so."

Dirk says "If you die Cale, I will avenge you."

Maggie listens, marveling over Chantris magic. She nods slowly, "I will speak with Lady Melina about getting something like that set up. That appears to be a great set of reference points that you have there. Thank you for the effort that you are putting into this." Glancing at Dirk, she nods, "Let's hope that is not required." Looking back to the youth, then the others she adds, "Okay... Thank you all for coming. We shall talk again after the visit to the Chantris and Pathi libraries. For now, I think that we have a lot to think about. A lot to talk about. The bar is open for another half an hour, so get what you want. I am going to head back to the Wave Dancer. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions, ideas or concerns. Good night, all." A glance is shifted around the room again before she rises and heads toward Merrisol's chair.

Ascian smiled at Maggie and Merrisol, nodding. "I am glad. It was a profession of love, something understandable given an uncertain fate. It is good to see you again Merrisol. It has been sometime. I hope you are doing well?"

Ruby winces at the proxmity of cat-ness, leaning her head away from Dirk's shapeshifted form a bit. "This be a big burden on Maggie's shouldahs, but I gots full confi-dence in this gettin 'andled roight, Truth. Just make sure we follow some sort 'o proto-cal. I talkin stoof beyond showin oof each othah's libraries and gettin papercuts. Tha's all I say on tha matter." She pauses and then breaks her word and rambles on. "RPC used tah be as well organized as a mad Begman's toolkit. We gots positions within tha organization with tha latest coat 'o paint tah make sure we all workin towards tha same purpose." She gestures her empty mug towards Maggie and Merri.

Turning her head, Maggie looks at Ruby, a half smile touching her lips, "I will be filing a plan with you and the archivist before we leave. But, you know as well as I do that plans do not always pan out." Lifting a hand, she waves. The wave includes Ascian and the others. Looking at Merrisol, she bends to speak softly just for him, then brushes a kiss to his bewhiskered cheek before rising and heading to, then out the door.